More Buzzard

   Fished at this isolated pond in Buzzard Swamp yesterday, located 2 miles from the parking lot along the gated gravel access road. The road passes through woods and fields and near swampy ground with small vernal pools, and likely that is where this large crayfish came from... Why it was walking along the middle of one tire track was less obvious, but it seemed to be unconcerned until I approached, when it turned and assumed this defensive posture. I picked it up and dropped it into a small stream then continued on my way.
   

      After catching and releasing one large mouth bass I started back along the road and heard an ominous hiss from abut two feet into the grass-not a rattle, but a low hiss-and that was all the warning I had from this four foot Timber rattlesnake lounging near the road. I never felt threatened because it seemed a little lethargic, so I suspect it had recently eaten and was simply resting while digesting. The day was mid 80's F so no doubt it was a bit overheated in the sun. I took some pics as we watched one another for a few minutes, until finally it slowly crawled off into nearby bushes. This was only the second rattlesnake I have seen in my life, and I would have expected a  Timber rattlesnake to be in the woods or near rocks, not in the middle of a field-seemingly as out of place as the crayfish walking along the road. (as always, click on pics to enlarge them)